Council Shields Danville Businesses From Dublin Event Center Tax, Adopts Smart Freeway Tech

Danville's Town Council sent a clear message May 19: invest locally first. All five members rejected a regional proposal to tax Danville businesses for a convention center 10 miles away in Dublin, revealing instead that two hotel projects — one with its own event space — are quietly being explored for downtown. Earlier, the Council unanimously adopted a first-in-Northern-California smart ramp metering system for I-680 that promises to recalculate freeway flow every 20 seconds.

• Council unanimously opposes 0.5% business tax for proposed 100,000-sq-ft Dublin event center, directs staff to explore a Danville-focused business improvement district instead
• I-680 smart ramp metering MOU adopted 5-0, launching a three-year demonstration project that could cut freeway travel times 10–30%
• Two downtown hotel proposals disclosed by mayor, one including a 40,000-sq-ft event center — positioning Danville to grow its own hospitality economy
• $2.3M+ Arts District construction contract approved despite bids coming in well above estimates, reflecting tariff-driven cost volatility
• Last-minute Fish and Wildlife permit saves Diablo Road trail project from a year-long delay
• E-bike regulations split into two phases: parks ordinance in June, sidewalk ban deferred to fall for school family input

All five council members turned away Visit Tri-Valley's pitch to fund a 100,000-square-foot multi-use event center near the Dublin BART station — a facility projected to draw 318,000 annual attendees and generate $100 million in visitor spending. The ask: a new Tourism Improvement District that would charge Danville hotels an additional $3 per room-night and local businesses 0.5% of gross revenue.